Cinderella vs. Cinderella in East final

And you thought the Canadiens’ run to the Eastern Conference final was amazing.

In Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love is celebrating the Flyers’ stunning comeback semifinal win over the Boston Bruins, rebounding from a 3-0 deficit in games, and a 3-0 deficit in Game 7, to beat the Bruins 4-3 last night in Beantown.

Pat Hickey and Mike Boone will be at the Habs’ 11 am practice in Brossard today.

I’m on the road to Philadelphia, where I’ll catch up to the Canadiens at their late afternoon media availability. News, audio and images from Gazette photographer Pierre Obendrauf to come here later today and this evening.

I Don’t think you can do this this year. I did it a but a few years back before I just got RDS on my cable. I’ve gone to the RDS.ca and can’t find it and remember a discussion on here about it not being available.

I also just tried to use a canadian IP proxy to see if i could watch CBC video’s and no luck – they have some large firewall around that.

I’m starting to just hope that Justin TV works – and that the internet feed I get is good enough – It wasn’t last year when in the hotel I was at in Dominican. God Damn – Who would have thought they would make it this far into the post season.

Happy with McCreary, Walkom, Sutherland, O’Halloran, Watson. O’Rourke was the guy who nailed us for the three diving calls and Devorski was part of the worst-reffed game this playoffs when PK Subban was tackled by Fedotenko and the calls went down-hill form there. Tim Peel is pretty damn close to being Chris Lee. That being said, McCreary and Walkom are old-school guys who keep their whistles away, and we may need the refs to keep the Flyers in line, so I’m hoping more for guys like Watson and Sutherland, O’Rourke and O’Halloran to ref early in the series and set the tone, and then have guys like McCreary and Walkom ref later.

Not sure I agree with THN’s series break-down, although based on their shoddy record I guess that’s not surprising. The fact that guru Bob McKenzie went 0/4 with his 2nd round predictions tells you it’s as much luck, heart, and momentum in the playoffs as it is skill. So this is what I would say about our match-up with Philly:

Forwards: Phi is built around size and grit with a little bit of finesse. Montreal is built around speed and finesse with a little bit of grit. If you were to single out the top forward in this series, it would be Mike Richards, but then again, we recall that we didn’t have Ovechkin or Crosby or Malkin and our forwards still out-played our opposition in the first two rounds. Phi has more depth at forward than Pit or Was, featuring guys like Briere, Gagne, Hartnell, and Carcillo, and maybe Jeff Carter later in the series. But the Habs have also got some depth, and they have guys who have won before. Any of Gionta, Cammalleri, Plekanec, Gomez, AK46, or even guys like Lapierre or Moore could be a guy to score the key goal in a game. The leaders have also been much more consistent than they have in past years. With Carter still out, I think right now the forwards match-up is EVEN. If Carter makes it back, slight edge to the Flyers.

Defence: Pronger is a very good defenceman. He was a great add for Phi this year, and he provides size and both offence and defence. But I think it’s also fair to say that he’s a tad over-rated, that he is getting on in age, and that he sucked it up big time at the Olympics on the big stage. Coburn is a guy I love with his speed, but Timonen seems to be on the down-side of his career, and the Flyers don’t give any kind of minutes to the bottom 2 guys. The Habs are missing Markov right now and even if he comes back, he won’t be close to being what he was. But they have two shut-down guys in Gorges and Gill (just like Scuderi-Gill for Pit last year), and PK Subban has the potential to be the best defenceman in this series and OB if he gets back in, could be a factor against the bigger team. The farther the playoffs fo, the less I like Philly’s chances of riding four guys, especially after a long physical series against Boston. The Habs D is much more blue-collar, but right now, I wouldn’t trade our 6 guys for their 6 guys. More veterans, better shot-blocking, and the potential of Subban gives the edge to the HABS even without Markov.

Special teams: as noted in THN, very even comparison. Will give the slight edge to Phi on this one, just because they have a few guys who can quarterback the PP and we’re a little short with Markov out. Halak is the main reason why our PK has been so good, with kudos to Gill and Gorges too. Phi gets more traffic on the PP and I like their chances of using special teams to their advantage, if they can stay out of the box themselves. Edge: FLYERS.

Coaching: I wouldn’t have ranked either coach very highly coming into the playoffs but both have done a nice job since the post-season began. I don’t think it’s fair to say one has done a better job than the other, they both have their teams playing hard. EVEN.

Prediction: Habs need to capitalize on the Flyers being banged up a bit from last series and take the first game. Flyers will try to play big and intimidate, so a lot depends on how the refs call the games. The difference maker in this series will be how Halak plays compared to Leighton, and unless he proves otherwise, we have no reason to doubt Jaro can’t outplay a guy who couldn’t make our team. HABS IN 6.

We blanketed Ovechkin. We shut down BOTH Crosby AND Malkin. Varlamov AND Fleury are definitly BETTER goalies than Leighton. All we have to do is shut down TWO guys. Gagne and Richards. THEY HAVE NOTHING ELSE. They have a bunch of goons and thats it.

Don’t worry they will stick to kind of play they did against previous two simply because they found themselves in it.

I understand it will take some time for fans to realize this is the playoff team already and they can beat anybody.

Come on even if things will go bad HABS ARE ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL – they play for each other and I don’t really think Flyers do this – they have some individuals but there is only one team out there…

Your right. ZERO chance of a Bar in PERU that will be showing hockey a month before the kickoff of the WORLD CUP.

I think the fact that Versus has the game means its blacked out on nhl.com and center ice. I HATE VERSUS.

I am sorry to tell you, IN FACT, you have a big crisis. I think its justin tv and the web based radio for you. But you should look into it. There might be some sort of package you can buy in Peru to get American tv that might have versus. Buts the odds are the same as being attacked by a ‘Polar bear AND a regular Bear inthe same day’…

I was being somewhat facetious with the “genius” label, I hope that came through. Sticking with Price over Halak is obviously the big stumbling block for many. It was a mistake. He realised that he wasn’t a good fit for coaching this team and found a suitable replacement to come in and lead the team he assembled. As I’ve said previously, Bob made some great moves and he made some terrible moves, just like every GM in the history of sports. We’re where we are now because some of his moves paid off, and these guys are playing excellent hockey. I couldn’t be more excited about this team. Go Habs Go!

yet another reason to hate boston. i really think we matched up better agains t the B’s yet they had to choke like that. probably did it to spite us! cause they know philly maches up better against us. how else do you explain that nonesense. i am actually really worried about playing philly. but i remain super proud of our boys and know they will bring everything they have against those goons. GO HABS GO!!!

Help. I’m going to Peru on Monday for two weeks and must be able to watch the games – its crucial.

I thought I could buy the NHL.com package online and watch the games, seems like they stopped this (WHT?!?!?!). I can watch them on line for free through justin.tv or something, but I wanted some better quality and gauranteed access. (I got this projector and want to see the puck)

Any idea’s – I assume only the Sunday NBC game will be able to be viewed on a TV in a bar – Their is zero chance of a bar with a salalite getting VS or CBC. Right?

I do credit Gillett for hiring Gainey. He takes a lot of heat here, but his purchase of the team turned the franchise around. No one is saying that Gainey is the only person responsible for putting the Habs where they are. The reason he is getting so much credit now is because of the severe beatings he has taken over what he did with this team in the last year. Of course it is the players and coaches who are actually getting the job done. They are the reason we are where we are, and he is the reason they are where they are. They get the credit for the play, he gets the credit for putting the pieces together. Why is that so difficult to accept?

Hmmmm … then why did Gainey as a coach not play Halak last year during the playoffs even though Price kept on losing game after game? To Gainey’s credit, he did play Halak once after the series was effectively over.

100% agreed … Halak and Jacques Martin are the principal architects of this great playoff run. Gainey never even believed in Halak and it’s no secret that he wanted to get rid of him … Besides, he had 6+ years to shine in Montreal (as GM that is) and he didn’t deliver, so let’s just move on.

If you want to give credit to Gainey for drafting Halak (in the last round nonetheless when there were not too many players left anyway) and signing Jacques Martin, why not credit Gillett for hiring Gainey?

I definitely agree we’re not here without Halak putting in a Conn Smythe performance. That’s why I’m glad Bob drafted him, signed him, and moved him up the ranks to the NHL, where he showed that he was one of the best goalies in the league. What a genius BG is.

Scott Burnside has the Flyers in Six – East finals preview: Flyers-Habs … ESPN http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=5190534 …………………………………… Tomas Plekanec started the playoffs on fire, but has not scored in his past eight postseason games. …………………………………………. Why bust a trend that has been so successful? We picked the Habs to lose in the first two rounds, and we’re going for the triple, picking No. 7 Philadelphia in what would be a strange upset given that Montreal is the eighth seed. Flyers in six. ……………………………………… If voting for the Conn Smythe Trophy took place now, many would give the nod to Halak; but Mike Cammalleri, goal machine, would have to be near the top of the list.

Ok.. I have been reading a lot of posts regarding the Philly/Habs series. We can compare every aspect of every team and give the edge to one or the other. I believe that doesn’t count anymore. I love Cammy for scoring 12 Goals, but those goals mean nothing in this series. Same goes to Gionta and company. We are meeting a different type of team. No superstars but very tough grinding bunch. They go out to hurt. They go out to injure and score in the process. Montreal will have to be ready and alert. We might lose a few bodies during this series and it won’t be pretty. The trick is we can’t play their game. We must play ours and be disciplined. We need not to retaliate becasue then there wil be trouble. We must protect Halak and make sure they don’t kill him out there. Also he won’t be facing 600 shots a game, so will he be able to keep his focus?

I know I was making a little fun of you for repeating some words again and again and again but now I beg you – please don’t stop with your super efficient magic formulas!!! After first game please tell everybody: “We should not be here”, after second game tell them your second favorite one “Nobody believed us”, after third game repeat once again “We should not be here” stuff and after fourth game would you be so kind and tell as all ours favorite one: “But you know what, here we are”

Philly’s D looked exhausted last night, and they don’t have time to rest. Habs need to take it to them right away. Their 5-6 pairing never sees the ice. Cycle down low and keep the pressure on. Leighton is a predictable goalie too, every time the puck gets close to the net he goes paddle down. Fire that puck high over his right shoulder and its a goal every time.

This isn’t gonna be an easy series, but the Flyers have more noticable flaws than the previous two opponents. If I noticed two, I’m sure JM and his crew have noticed at least 10, and are showing the guys tape right now.

“How would you like a job where when you made a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?” Jacques Plante

I remember the two games against Philly just before the Olympics; PK was one of the best Habs in those games. I particularly remember when he ducked a hit from Pronger who seemed a bit peeved, as if to say, “Hey punk, you can’t do that against me, don’t you know who I am?!”.

While I would have preferred another chapter in the Montreal/Boston rivalry, now I would like nothing more than to see the Habs bring down the Flyers.

I know that we got to this point with one of the best “team” performances, game after game that I have ever witnessed from the Canadiens, but wouldn’t it be nice to see PK put a move on Pronger that says, “Hey, old man, do you like me now?!”.

I was saying the same thing about the Flyers’ play. Just another reason why I was hoping for the B’s. But, I agree with your post that if they stick to what they’ve done the last two series, they can do this!

……….. “Thank you Cammy for making my day even more amazing!” I STILL BELIEVE. I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE.

The main thing the habs are going to have to do against Philly is keep the front of the net clear for Jaro. Gagne, Richards and Hartnell have to be kept to the outside and our D is going to have to be very physical on those guys as well. On philly’s back end where they really only play with 4 guys primarily, the boys are going to have to use there speed very well, control the puck and when they get there chances hit pronger, timmonen, carle and Coburn every time they can. If we get outshot every game we’ll be just fine. A split in philly is on the wish list, but if we win the first one, than why not go out and get the second one. I hope our fourth line can contribute and get some ice time in this series too. Carter will probably make a return, but so will Marky. I look for a game 3 retrun for Andrei. No hockey today except for the memorial cup, where my hometown team the spitfires started off with a bang. What am I going to do?

We have to keep playing the way we have been doing, and keep out of the penalty box. I am worried about their dirty players, and the potential for injury. I don’t think it would be beneath Philly to intentionally injure one of our top guys, including Halak. Glad Melrose and co. have sided with Philly. We have been proving everyone wrong all playoffs, let’s do it again……GO HABS GO. BELEIVE.

1..don’t get involved in the mob mentality with the flyers. the likes of hartnell, cicarelli , asham will be out looking to take some heads and crash halak as much as possible…need discipline and stay out of the box.

2..halak play the same as the last 2 series.

3..try not to play passive. Flyers can forecheck the hell out of us as they are bigger. we need to find open ice and use our speed and quickness to gain the neutral zone. put pressure on there defense. aside from pronger i think there defense can be pressured to make many mistakes with our speed.

We’ve seen what has happened when the Habs try to play it rough. It’s not their game! The team needs to stick with the game plan that got them this far and not be drawn into the kind of nonsense that Philly will surely through at them.

I’m very unhappy with the PHI. I have friend from Boston and she told me about huge rivalty with MTL, but I would like to see series against Boston. And I think it would be better for MTL. I hate PHI since I started watching NHL – it was in early 1990s – since Lindros times. They are stupid lumberjacks allways hurting opponent’s players. I’m afraid they hurt Cammalerri or Gionta or Pleks or Gill or insert any important player here in first games of series

I wanted the bruins to get through. But now I’ll try to be positive. Know what? Maybe it’s a good thing it’s philly. The Habs need to take them seriously, and given the philly comeback our guys will not go into the series thinking this will be “easier” than the last two rounds. In fact, it may be tougher, given the momentum and confidence philly has right now. I just hope darned Carcillo, Richards and all don’t attempt to behead our guys… then not get suspended b/c it’s the playoffs and richards gets special treatment

Finally an easy opponent !!! At least this way we can finish early and get a few days of rest before the finals. And rest we’ll need, ’cause whoever comes out of the west will be a much tougher nut to crack than Philly.

SPECIAL TEAMSThe Flyers have been slightly better on the power play during the playoffs and the Canadiens have been slightly better on the penalty kill. The teams were virtually identical on special teams during the regular season, but the Flyers power play dried up in the second round with just five goals in 29 opportunities and went just 3-for-18 in the final four victories of the series. If Andrei Markov can return at some point in the series, it improves the Canadiens considerably. Edge: Even

FORWARDS The highest scorer for the Canadiens (Mike Cammalleri with 12) has five more goals than the highest scoring player for Philadelphia (Daniel Briere with seven). The Canadiens have proven in the playoffs to be a dangerous team when it comes to being opportunistic. They’re getting scoring from all four lines, but they won’t be skating around the likes of Sergei Gonchar and Chris Letang when they face the Flyers. The return of Simon Gagne turned the tide of the Flyers series against Boston and Briere, with 4-1-5 totals against the Canadiens in the regular season, was lethal against Montreal. By Game 2, Jeff Carter will have been out four weeks and if he returns, that’s a huge plus for the Flyers. Edge: Flyers

DEFENSE The Flyers gave up considerably fewer shots and goals per game through the first two rounds, but you have to remember they were playing the offensively challenged New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins, while the Canadiens faced the high-flying Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. As a group, the Flyers are better, but you have to wonder if their four horsemen – Chris Pronger, Matt Carle, Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn – can continue to play almost 30 minutes a game and hold up. They’ll have much more speed and skill to deal with in the Canadiens. Unlike the first round when their defensive game plan was to give up 40 shots a game, the Canadiens have tightened up in a big way defensively. Edge: Flyers

GOALTENDING During the regular season, Michael Leighton was in the nets for the Flyers two wins over the Canadiens, which came on back-to-back nights prior to the Olympic break. In the second game, Jaroslav Halak was pulled after giving up five goals on 17 shots, but then stopped 35 shots for the shutout in a 1-0 win April 2. Leighton was terrific in replacing Brian Boucher, but Halak and his .933 save percentage are drawing comparisons to Patrick Roy. Nobody is confusing Leighton with Bernie Parent. Edge: Montreal

COACHING You don’t get through two rounds of the playoffs without getting superior coaching. Jacques Martin did a masterful job of matching his defensemen against Sidney Crosby and has clearly adapted and become a more offensive coach. Peter Laviolette has leaned heavily on his best players, particularly on defense, and is skilled in making his team believe it is never out of a game or a series. He took over a fractured team and one that has been besieged by injuries and guided it to the final four. Edge: Montreal

THE X-FACTOR There is some serious positive karma going for both teams here, as evidenced by the fact this is the first time a No. 7 and No. 8 have ever met in a conference final. You have to wonder if the Flyers have anything left after their monumental comeback in the second round, but you could argue the Canadiens might not have much left after successively knocking off the President’s Trophy winner and the defending Stanley Cup champion.

PREDICTION The Canadiens have a superior goaltender and the Flyers, from top to bottom, have a better team. Both are obviously far better than they proved in the regular season, but here might be the difference: The Canadiens have overachieved wildly behind a hot goalie, while the Flyers might finally be proving to be the Stanley Cup contender they were before the season started. Philadelphia in seven